Saffron Walden Town Council moves into new offices

Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) announce that Saffron Walden Town Council has now moved into its refurbished offices in the old NatWest building, now known as 5 King Street.

Saffron Walden Town Council bought the 5 King Street building from NatWest Bank towards the end of 2022. The building had been empty and neglected for many years, and it has required extensive structural and refurbishment works which are now almost at an end.

SWTC’s plans for the building have changed over the past year with a fall in demand for office space. The refurbishment now comprises retail space on the ground floor, office accommodation on the first floor and residential flats on the second and third floors. The first floor offices have been completely fitted out, and last week the Town Council moved into them from its temporary space at the top of the Town Hall. The fitting out of the 3 flats on the second and third floors is almost finished, and they should be available for rent soon. A lease for the ground floor retail premises is in the course of negotiations.

5 King St is on the Market Square directly adjoins the Town Hall, to its left

R4U councillor Paul Gadd, who is the leader of the Town Council, said “We’re delighted that SWTC have got to this stage. Like many old buildings, this building had its fair share of challenges. Terry Frostick, the Town Council’s operations manager, has overseen all stages of the refurbishment, and has done a fantastic job. We’re very grateful to him for the high quality premises that the Town Council now owns, and for bringing a long-empty building back into use, which will enhance the town centre. As well as providing modern office accommodation for the Council, the building should provide an important source of income for many years to come.”

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